15 That is, Idolatry.  Acts xvii. 30.  Freytag (Einl. p. 453) thinks that previous to Islam, the Arabian women went in public unveiled.

16 The pronoun is in the pl. masc., whereas the pl. fem. is used in the previous part of the verse.  The partisans of Ali quote this passage to prove the intimate union of Ali and his posterity with the Prophet.

17 That is, to Zaid.  The favour of God to Zaid consisted in having caused him to become a Muslim:  the favour of Muhammad in adopting him as his son.  Zaid and Abu Lahab (Sura cxi. p. 29) are the only contemporaries of Muhammad mentioned by name in the Koran.

18 Thy plan to obtain Zeinab, or Zenobia, Zaid’s wife, as thy wife.

19 Lit, who brought the messages of God.

20 If thou makest use of the special prerogative (conferred in verse 49).

21 He had nine wives at this period, beside slaves.  The number of wives allowed to the faithful is four.  See note, p. 411. 22 The first slave whom Muhammad took to wife was Raihana, at the conquest of the Banu Koreidha.  His. 693.  Weil, 170.

23 Verses 53-55 refer to the conduct of the guests at Muhammad’s house after his marriage with Zeinab.  Albuhari passim.  Muslim i. 824 ff.  Wah.  Comp.  Caussir, iii. 151.

24 Ullmann, p. 263, quotes a similar precept from the Talmud, “Do all that the master of the house biddeth, but wait not to be asked to depart.”

25 This verse cannot be of later date than Hej. 8, when Muhammad’s daughter Omm Kulthum died. leaving only Fatima.

26 This may refer to the charge of adultery said by the Rabbins to have been brought by Korah against Moses.  Comp.  Tr.  Sanhedrin, fol. 110a. and Numbers xii. 1.  The verse is said to have been revealed on account of aspersions thrown on Muhammad for unfairly dividing spoils, whereupon he said, “God be merciful to my brother Moses.  He was wronged more than this, and bore it with patience.”

SURA LXIII.1-THE HYPOCRITES [CIV.]

Medina.-11 Verses

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say, “We bear witness that thou art the Sent One of God.”  God knoweth that thou art His Sent One:  but God beareth witness that the hypocrites do surely lie.

Their faith2 have they used as a cloak, and they turn aside others from the way of God!  Evil are all their doings.

This, for that they believed, then became unbelievers!Therefore hath a seal been set upon their hearts, and they understand not.

When thou seest them, their persons make thee marvel; and if they speak, thou listenest with pleasure to their discourse.  Like timbers are they leaning against a wall!3 They think that every shout is against them.  They are enemies-Beware of them then-God do battle with them!  How false are they!

And when it is said to them, “Come, the Apostle of God will ask pardon for you,” they turn their heads aside, and thou seest them withdraw in their pride.